Our Programs

CHICAGO RUN Programs

CHICAGO RUNNERS

­­The Chicago Runners program is designed to instill the daily habit of running and physical activity during the school day for elementary school students. Each student runs or participates in moderate to vigorous physical activity during recess, PE class, or with their classroom teacher for a minimum of 15 minutes a day, three to five times a week. Students earn incentives (i.e. water bottle, notebook, jump rope) as they achieve certain mileage milestones on the virtual marathon website, myCHICAGORUN.org.

RUNNING MATES

Running Mates is an after school program designed to prepare middle school students to run in a local 5k race. Participants learn about teamwork, commitment, and perseverance through a curriculum that incorporates running workouts, goal setting, nutrition lessons, and team-building activities. Running Mates works to break down racial and cultural stereotypes by bringing students from different schools together for training runs, community service projects, local races, and other celebratory events.

LACE Up!

LACE (Leadership, Action, Community, Endurance) Up! is a program designed for Chicago Run program alumni who were previously involved in Running Matesand/or Chicago Runners and are now in high school. Participants have the opportunity to build leadership, mentoring, coaching, and career-readiness skills that will aid in their success through high school and beyond. In addition, LACE Up! studentswill continue their commitment to service and fitness by participating in community volunteer projects and running in local races.

LITTLE STRIDES

The Little Strides program is designed to instill the importance of daily physical activity in early childhood classrooms. The Little Strides curriculum uses games and activities to excite young children to exercise. These activities also focus on developing vital gross motor skills that students need upon entering elementary school. Students exercise three to five times a week, each time earning a sticker to fill up the exercise sticker board! Filling up a sticker board will earn each student a Chicago run incentive (pencil, water bottle, notebook).